A.—2

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it is proposed to effect this, in the case of members of Colonial forces attached to the auxiliary forces, by an amendment of section 176 of the Army Act which shall provide " that all Non-commissioned Officers and men belonging to a force raised in India or a Colony when they are being trained and exercised in the United Kingdom with any portion of the Auxiliary Forces to which they may for the time being be attached for the purposes of training " shall be subject to military law. It is further intended to make a parallel amendment to section 175 to make similar provision in regard to officers who may be individually attached to the Territorial Force. 3. I am to add that it is also considered advisable to take this opportunity of providing for any cases in which members of the Colonial Forces, whether officers or men may be serving in a similar manner with units of His Majesty's regular forces, and it is proposed to amend still further sections 175 and 176 of the Army Act accordingly. 4. His Majesty's Government would be glad to be assured of the concurrence of your Government in the proposed alterations in these sections of the Army Act, or to have any remarks which they may have to offer in regard to them. It is intended merely to provide that where individuals of Colonial Forces have actually been attached to Imperial Troops for training whether by the issue of temporary commissions (in the case of officers) or otherwise—they shall be, without question, subject for the time being to the law which governs those troops. Corresponding steps will no doubt have to be taken by your Government to provide for the discipline of individual members of the Territorial Forces when attached to Colonial troops but such steps will of course be taken by means of a local Act. I have etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Et. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O.

No. 8. No. 60. My Lord, Downing Street, 11th April, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you, to be laid before your Ministers, with reference to the 3rd resolution of the Colonial Conference, copy of a Memorandum drawn up by the War Office, stating the conditions of entry to and the nature of the course of study at the Staff College at Camberley. ■ 2. Being convinced of the great importance of forming an Imperial General Staff, the Army Council trust that your Ministers will, as far as possible, arrange for sending each year one or more duly qualified officers for training at the College. I have etc., ELGIN. Governor, the Kt. Hon. Lord Plunket, K.C.M.G. K.C.V.O.

No. 9. ' No. 61. My Lord, Downing Street, 14th April, 1908. I have the honour to transmit to you for the information of your Ministers, with reference to my telegram of the 10th instant, the paper noted in the subjoined schedule on the subject of whale fishing at the Chatham Islands. I have etc., ELGIN.

The Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand.

Date. Description. 1908. From the Norwegian Charge d'Affaires to the Foreign Office. 30th March